Winners of St Albans Food and Drink Awards 2018

The public’s favourite food and drink businesses were honoured at the annual St Albans Food and Drink Awards 2018 last night.

It was a double celebration for the Ye Olde Fighting Cocks which received the award for Best Pub. A special award was also given to landlord, Christo Tofalli, who was named Food & Drink Champion for Outstanding Achievement.

Other winners included Charlie's Coffee & Company, which took the accolade for Best Hot Beverage, a new award category this year. Lussmanns won the award for Best Restaurant for a Special Occasion and the title of Best Newcomer went to Heartwood Tea Rooms in Sandridge.

The award winners were announced at a glittering ceremony at Sopwell House that marked the climax of St Albans Food and Drink Festival.

Earlier this year, more than 190 businesses and individuals were nominated for the awards and then put to a public vote to find which were the most popular. The results were used to compile a shortlist of finalists each of which received a secret visited from members of St Albans Food and Drink Festival steering group. These judges selected the award winners after moderating all the finalists on areas including product quality, customer service and ambience.

The Mayor of the City and District of St Albans, Cllr Rosemary Farmer, who opened the awards ceremony, said: “It’s a real achievement to win one of these coveted awards which highlight the fantastic food and drink businesses we have here in St Albans District. These food and drink businesses have obviously struck the right note with the public. I congratulate all the winners for their hard work, customer care, culinary and hospitality skills, and passion for what they do.”

Councillor Salih Gaygusuz, Portfolio Holder for Business and Community at St Albans City and District Council, said: “The St Albans Food and Drink Awards aim to celebrate the buzzing food and drink scene in the District. They are extremely popular with over 190 businesses nominated this year and 3,600 votes cast by the public. Each and every nominee should be proud that their food and drink business has been recognised by the community. They all contribute to the local economy, helping to make St Albans and the surrounding District a destination for people who want to eat out and socialise.”

The full list of winners of the St Albans Food and Drink Awards 2018 are: